The easiest way to play music on a Google Home or Nest speaker from your phone is to cast it: open Spotify, YouTube Music, or another supported app, tap the Cast or Devices icon, and choose your speaker. You can also connect the phone over Bluetooth to play anything, including music files saved on the phone, or link a music service so you can just say “Hey Google, play some jazz.”
Before you start
- Set up the speaker in the Google Home app.
- For casting, connect your phone to the same Wi-Fi network as the speaker.
- Update the Google Home app and your music app.
Method 1: Cast from a music app
- Open a music app that supports Google Cast, such as Spotify, YouTube Music, Pandora, or Apple Music on Android.
- Start playing a song.
- Tap the Cast icon (a rectangle with Wi-Fi waves) or, in Spotify, the Devices icon.
- Choose your Google Home or Nest speaker.
Music streams directly from the internet to the speaker, so your phone’s battery isn’t drained, and you can take calls or leave the room without stopping playback. Control volume from the app, the speaker, or your phone’s volume buttons.
Method 2: Connect over Bluetooth
Use Bluetooth for apps without Cast support, podcasts, or music files saved on your phone.
- Say “Hey Google, Bluetooth pairing.” Or, in the Google Home app, open the speaker, go to its settings, and turn on pairing mode under Paired Bluetooth devices (the exact menu name varies by app version).
- On your phone, open Bluetooth settings and select the speaker from the list.
- Play audio on your phone. It now comes out of the speaker.
Next time, just turn on Bluetooth and select the speaker. Keep the phone within Bluetooth range.
Method 3: Link a music service and use your voice
- Open the Google Home app and go to Settings.
- Find the Music setting and link a service, such as YouTube Music, Spotify, Pandora, Deezer, or Apple Music, where available.
- Set it as your default.
- Say “Hey Google, play [song, artist, or playlist].”
With a default service set, you don’t need your phone at all. Some services require a paid subscription to play specific songs on demand.
Play on multiple speakers
In the Google Home app, create a speaker group with your Google Home and Nest speakers, then cast to the group or say “Play music on [group name].” See how to play music on all Google devices.
Troubleshooting
- The speaker doesn’t appear in the Cast list: check that the phone and speaker are on the same Wi-Fi network, and turn off VPNs on the phone.
- Bluetooth won’t pair: remove the speaker from your phone’s Bluetooth list and pair again, or restart the speaker by unplugging it for a minute.
- Music stops randomly: move your Wi-Fi router closer or reduce interference; for Bluetooth, keep the phone near the speaker.
- The speaker is on the wrong network: see how to connect Google Home to new Wi-Fi.
Frequently asked questions
Can I play music saved on my phone?
Yes, use Bluetooth (Method 2). Casting works with streaming apps.
Does casting use my phone’s data?
The speaker streams over Wi-Fi, so it doesn’t use your phone’s mobile data once casting starts.
Kermit Matthews is a freelance writer based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania with more than a decade of experience writing technology guides. He has a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Computer Science and has spent much of his professional career in IT management.
He specializes in writing content about iPhones, Android devices, Microsoft Office, and many other popular applications and devices.